Traffic signal control and switching means



June 8, 1937. A. J. MASSEY 2,083,075

TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AND SWITCHING MEANS Original Filed June 25, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FHtXKndQV M sSQ June 8, 1937. A. J. MASSEY 2,083,075

TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AND SWITCHING MEANS- Original Filed June 25, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 $TOPAND-GO CONTROL WEtkl. y co Iv TROL gnwnt o1,

Mww i S. Mass y dbtomuq June 8, 1937.

A. J. MASSEY TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AND SWITCHING MEANS Original Filed June 25, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fl/W ar der Masse June 8, 1937. A. J. MASSEY 2,033,075

TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AND SWITCHING MEANS Original Filed June 25, 1923 4 he s-S t 4 I a r x 72142 a) w I fari- II/III];f2YIIIIII/III/IIII/I/II/l A I I i llll k w T fi 99 k f I J f fntiandcr ).N\zsse TSWFKW (1H0: nu,

Patented June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL AND SWITCHING MEANS Alexander J. Massey, Los Angeles, Calif.

6 Claims.

This invention relates to timing mechanisms and associated parts suitable for use in signaling systems; and more particularly to timing mechanism for use in traffic signaling systems for city streets. Such a system, as illustrated by that shown in my pending application, Serial No. 647,666, filed June 25, 1923 now Patent 1,817,754, August 4, 1931, of which this case is a division, may have for its object to provide a group of 10 or a plurality of groups of signals located at different street intersections, and improved economical time-controlled central means of control therefor, whereby all of such signals may be controlled as to their traflic signaling action; but

the claims of the present application will be found to be directed to the protection of a timing mechanism and associated parts suitable for use in various signal systems of the general character referred to.

In another application for Letters Patent filed by me July 2, 1921, (Patent No. 1,640,845, issued August 30, 1927) for Signaling systems, I have shown and described a signal and a signaling system,-the latter embodying not only a group of such signals but an automatic and central timecontrolled means therefor; and the signals disclosed in said patent are admirably adapted for incorporation in a system embodying the present invention, the system and means of signal control herein preferred being in fact similar to the system and means of control therein dis clcsed but of a more highly organized nature, in that provision may be made for the independent control of a large number of separate groups of signals, each group pertaining to a certain section of a city. In accordance with the pres ent invention, provision is made for the continuous automatic operation of the central time-governed controlling means, and the signal faces controlled may thereby be caused to spring into activity, in alternate Stop and Go face presentation (in signaling action) each morning and at the moment the traffic rules for daylight hours are to be put in force; and may also be caused to retire to a non-signaling or invisible position each evening and at a predetermined time of suspension of said rules; and a special timing drum and associated parts may accordingly be regarded as central features of this divisional application.

For the sake of completeness, a preferred system utilizing the invention is shown; and in one of its aspects the present invention will therefore be seen torelate to an impulse system resembling that of said patent, provision being made,

however, herein for the sending of separate controllingimpulses (at different times, if desired) to the mechanisms of the signals of each group. For example, a special impulse may be automatically sent over a controlling circuit of each group of signals to start the actuation thereof; and another special impulse may be sent over a controlling eircuit to each group of signals to cause the cessation of the signaling action thereof. These special impulse circuits are automatically closed by elements of the automatic controlling means; and the latter may, in certain cases, be at a great distance from signals controlled thereby,the elements of the starting and retiring mechanism acted upon by the impulses being located in the signal devices and connected with the impulse circuits.

Elements of the central controlling means are preferably so arranged, by predetermined adjustment, that certain signals, or the signals of certain groups, may be retired or started earlier or later than other signals, or the signals of other groups; further, elements may be variably adjusted in predetermined arrangement, so that the Stop and Go faces of certain signals are exposed for different time periods and so that the Go face of certain signals changes to the Stop face slightly in advance of the exposure of the corresponding faces of other signals. By so presenting a Stop face to persons in a traffic stream slightly in advance of the presentation of a Go face to persons in a traffic stream at right angles thereto, the crossing or intersection of two streets may be cleared of one traffic stream by the time the second traflic stream is permitted to enter the intersection; and the preferred system will be seen to include means, at the controlling central station, which provide automatically for an entire week of traffic control, with any desired variation from the regular daily routine, as, for instance, for Saturday night traffic control, and/or for suspension of activity and consequent obscuration or retirement from View of both the Stop and Go signal faces during the entire day on Sunday; and such weekly program of traffic control may be automatically carried out continuously week after week, all in accordance with the predetermined adjustment of controlling elements.

It is a further object of the preferred system, in which this invention is shown, to provide a street trafiic signaling system, of the general character above outlined, which may be economically and reliably operated on a large scale, as

the installation of large cities may comprise a great many signals in many different groups. As, in the preferred form of signal used in my system, the source of electric or other energy for changing the signal faces is only drawn on for the short time period that the signal faces are actually being changed, and not during the set position period between changes of signal faces, the amount of energy consumed in signal operation at each signal is very slight indeed; and, this energy being controlled by intermittent electrical impulses of only a very short duration, the signaling system of a large city may be continuously operated at a surprisingly low cost.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, combination, association and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and finally pointed out in claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away of a central controlling unit constructed and organized to embody one form of the invention, this unit being adapted for the continuous automatic control of a large number of traffic signals located at street intersections;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the unit shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail plan view including a portion of the showing in Figures 1 and 2 and including also a showing of preferred drive or actuating motors of the unit, and mechanism for alternately employing the motors, each in substitution for the other, during certain time periods;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse sectional view of parts of the controlling means unit, the view being taken on the line 44, of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the appended arrows;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse view of impulse controlling parts, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the appended arrows, this view being not simultaneous with Figures 1 and 2 and being used to show optional features of modification;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a signaling system constructed and organized to embody the invention, intersection streets, traffic signals, electrical circuits, and controlling means being shown in their operative interrelation but (for the sake of clearness of illustration) without regard to their actual sizes or positions in the system, some parts being shown only diagrammatically and others in full line, to the end that a comprehensive outline of the system may be had;

Figure 7 is a partial vertical sectional view of parts of a signal such as described and claimed by me in the aforementioned Letters Patent, the view being similar to Figure 8 in the drawings thereof; but further parts are diagrammatically illustrated in this figure, in order that the relation of parts of such a signal to the circuits and a street intersection as shown in one portion of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a section detail view taken as indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, and first to some of the more general aspects of the system illustrated, in the form of controlling means unit shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, l, 5 and 6, A designates a suitable supporting framework, B designates time-controlled motor means for operating the unit, C designates impulse controlling means, D designates actuating means for the impulse controlling means C, E designates time-controlled governing means for the actuating means D, F designates a diurnal control means, generically and specifically claimed herein, G designates weekly control means, and 331 designates means for periodically alternately employing separate motor elements of the time-controlled motor means.

The framework A is shown as comprising vertical members l5 and horizontal members l2": suitably arranged to support the various rotating and other parts of the unit.

The time-controlled motor means 13 is shown as comprising two constant speed electro-nrotors I"! and i8 mounted upon the framework A and adapted to be periodically employed each in substitution or relief of the other, subject to control by the means H. The motors l! and i8 claimed in the mentioned parent application) are shown as having their armatures coaxially arranged; and a shaft l9 having a worm 2B fixed thereto is mounted for rotation between the 1notor armatures and in position to be driven by either a clutch member ll carried by the shaft f the armature of the motor I! or by a ciutch member l8 carried by shaft of the armature of the motor |8,-clutch members 2| and .22 being carried by the worm shaft H] in position to be engaged by the members IT and I8, respectively, when the latter are longitudinally shifted iiim contact therewith. A solenoid Ila having an armature Ilh is fixed upon the motor i'. and a solenoid lta having an armature lBb is fixed upon the motor I8; the armatures Ill) and lflb connected by a rod 22 having depending clutch-- shifting fingers He and its respectively taking into annular grooves Zia and 22a in the mentioned slidable clutch members. By alternately energizing the solenoids Ila and Illa, the motors l1 and IE will thus be alternately connected with the worm shaft to drive the same.

Means of operative connection between the motor means B and the governing means E, the diurnal control means F, the weekly control means G, and the means l-I, may aruiip: 7, gear train or gear trains organized to give the required reduction in gear ratios between the worm shaft l9 and the various means E, F, G, and H, so that the desired relative rate of motion of these parts is assured. drawings, a relatively large gear 23 fixed to a shaft 23' rotatably mounted in the framework has its teeth in mesh with the worm 72-) and is driven thereby; a relatively small spur pinion 24 is likewise fixed to the shaft 23 and meshes with a spur gear 25 fixed to a shaft 25 rotatably mounted in the framework below the shaft $13. This shaft 25' carries a worm 26 which meshes with a gear 21 fixed to a rotatably mounted shaft 21' which ranges longitudinally of the frame work A and carries a worm 21" arranged to take into the teeth of a gear 28. his gear 23 is fixed to a rotatably mounted transverse shaft 28' which has a contact disc 29, comprised with n the As shown in the means H, fixed thereto at its inner end and a 7-3 .worm fixed thereto at itsouter end. A considerable reduction in the rate of rotation of the contact disc 29, as compared with the :rate of speed of the driving motor I! or I8 is thus obtained. As such contact disc 29 controls the shifting of the clutches 2| and .22, as will be hereinafter described, the shifting of the work of driving the mechanism of the unit from one motor to the other is controlled thereby and the time period between'each such change of motors is dependent upon the rate of speed of disc rotation.

A further reduction in the rate of speed of rotation of a contact drum 3| comprised within the diurnal control means F, to cause the same to make exactly one complete revolution in every twenty-four hours, may be had by providing a rotating shaft 32 at right angles to the shaft 28 and having a gear 32' fixed thereto in mesh with the worm .30 and a worm 33 fixed thereto in mesh with a large gear 33, which is secured to the transverse shaft 34; the transverse shaft 34 is rotatably journalled in the framework A and has the contact drum 3| secured thereto.

A rotatable transverse shaft 35 mounted in the framework A above the shaft 23 has a bevel gear 35' secured thereto at one end and is driven by a bevel gear 36 secured to the upper end of a vertical rotatable shaft 36'. At its lower end the shaft 36 has a bevel gear 36a secured thereto, and such gear 36a in mesh with a bevel gear 37 secured to the end of the shaft 25'. A pinion 35a secured to the shaft 35 drives the time-con- H trolled governing means E.

blocks die and 4501, respectively.

The impulse controlling means C, by means of which electrical contacts are made to cause controlling impulses to be sent to each street signal (or to each group of street signals, as the case may be) is shown as comprising a longitudinally ranging shaft 38 rotatably journalled in the framework, as at 38", and having a large gear 39 secured thereto, an adjustable contact device consisting of the parts 4|! and 4| secured thereto, and a plurality of spring contact fingers 42 and 42'. The contact devices are shown as plurality provided, in separate sets, upon the same shaft, to illustrate how different signal actuations may be caused, with respect to different signals or signals of different groups, each such contact device controlling the impulses sent to a different signal or a different group of signals. The part 4|) is shown as a sector having a hub 49 bored to receive the shaft 38 and having a threaded aperture to receive a set-screw 40" by means of which the sector is secured to the shaft 32%. At its outer margin and at one edge thereof the sector carries an insulating block4fla upon which is mounted a metallic switch blade 481), such block and its blade being disposed at one side of the relatively thin sector body. At the opposite side of the sector, and at the outer margin thereof, an insulating block 400 carrying a switch blade Mid is provided. In the instance shown in Figure 5, the switch blade 40d projects from the sector body in a direction opposite that of the blade 4%. The part 4| may be formed similarly to the part 40 and comprises a sector having a bored hub 4|, set screw 4|" to secure the sector to the shaft 38, and oppositely disposed switch blades 4m and 4|b supported to project at opposite sides of the sector 4| and at opposite edges thereof by insulating The switch blades 4m and M2) are of sufiicient length to contact with two spring fingers 42 to close cir- 4?. the solenoid 59, the switch bar 41a of the drum 4? closing the solenoid circuit at each revolu- 'tion.

cults one vwire of which is connected to each of rsuch fingers, and the switch blade 4% is of just sufficient length to contact with the next adjacent .pair of spring fingers 42; the switch blade 43d, however, is a little longer than the blades 40b, 4| a and Mb so as to contact with a pair of the fingers 4'2 and in addition thereto with a special contact finger 42. This special contact .finger is connected with features of the signal starting and extinguishing means as will be hereinafter described.

The actuating means D for the impulse controlling means C is shown as an electro-motor '43 fixed in the framework A and having a shaft "48a connected with its armature shaft and pro vided with a worm 4617 at its outer end. The worm46b meshes with the large gear 39 on the .shaft 38, which is periodically rotated by the lingers 48 and 43' riding on the periphery of the drum 4'! and ina position to be contacted with by a switchbar 47a extending longitudinally of the drum, and a switch device e associated with the shaft 38. This switch device e is shown as com prising a longitudinally movable rock shaft 49 parallel to the shaft 38, means e, for longitudinally moving the rock-shaft (and comprising a solenoid .5!) having an armature forming an extension of the rock-shaft) a switch bar 5| on the rock-shaft, a fixed contact Eila adapted to be engaged by a contact on the switch bar, a spring 52 for holding the switch bar in circuit closing position, and means (shown as comprising a pair of diametrically opposed switch bar engaging fingers 53 fixed on the shaft 38) for moving the switch bar to open circuit position. The switch bar 5| is shown as having a bored hub by means of which it is fixed to the rock-shaft 43 and an-extension or arm 5| terminating in a hook extending normally into the path of rotation of the diametrically opposed fingers which terminate in hooks matching the hooked terminus of the switch bar extension iii. switch bar 5| is shown in Fig. 4 as carrying an insulated switch point 5|b adapted to contact with the fixed switch point or contact Elm. One

wire of the corresponding circuit terminates at each switch point. The rock-shaft 49 is arranged to rotate and slide in the framework at one of its ends, as at 43', and the armature at its other end is arranged to rotate and slide in the solenoid. A spring 54 normally holds the rock-shaft with its switch bar in the vertical plane of the fixed switch point. The drum 41 is driven by an idler gear 55 which meshes with the pinion 35a and a gear '55 fixed to the rotatable drum shaft The drum 4'! controls the energization of Upon each energization of the solenoid 56 its core draws the rock-shaft toward the solenoid and moves the hooked switch controlling arms of the rock-shaft out of the plane of the switch bar 5! allowing the spring 52 to draw the switch bar upwardly and contact with the fixed point 5|a, so closing the circuit of, and energizing the motor 46,which is permitted to turn the shaft The v 38 through one-half revolution only,-the circuit of the solenoid having been meanwhile broken and the rock-shaft moved by the spring 54 to again bring the hooked fingers or arms 53 into the plane of the switch bar 5|, the hooked extension of which is caught by a hooked arm 53 and moved to break the circuit of the motor 46. The latter must remain mechanically and electrically inactive until the drum 41 again closes the circuit of the solenoid 50 to draw the hooked arms 53 out of the plane of the switch bar 5|,

whereupon the motor 46 is again energized to give the shaft 36 another half-turn. During time-periods between successive actuations or half-revolutions of the shaft 38 the signal faces remain set or in their positions of display, the sectors 40 and 4| being usually so arranged on the shaft 38 that the spring finger contacts are between them (out of contact) during the pauses in shaft rotation. It will thus be seen that the rate of rotation of the drum 41 controls or determines, to a certain extent, the length of time, or time-period of display without change, of a signal face. By adjusting the sectors 40 and 4| so that they will not be exactly diametrically opposed, and by moving them in a circular path about the axis of the shaft 38 and fixing them in a suitable predetermined position, a shorter timeperiod of display of one signal face than another may be had; the total cycle period (or timeperiod of display of a Stop face plus display of a Go face) will, however, be the same timeperiod as is required for two complete rotations of the drum 41.

The diurnal control means F, to the protection of which claims of the present application are directed, is shown as including both rotatably mounted skeleton drum 3| and a plurality of sets of switch points or spring fingers 3|, 3|", 3|"', and 3|, in position to have circuits closed therethrough by adjustable circuit-closing iOI switch bars 3| mounted at the periphery of the drum 3|, one such bar being provided for each pair or set of fingers. These switch bars 3|b may be removably entered into undercut channels 3|c cut longitudinally in the surface of the drum 3|, the bars 3|b being of such cross-section that they will project above the surface of the drum proper, which is preferably formed of suitable insulating material. By forming the channels 3|c close together in the drum, I am enabled to vary the arrangement of the contact or switch bars 3!!) to meet almost every possible requirement, with respect to time of extinguishing separate signals or separate groups thereof each night, and causing the reappearance thereof in signaling action each morning, certain signals or groups thereof at one time, and other signals or other groups thereof at other times. The contact fingers may be separately mounted on a block 3|d of insulating material; and the contact bars 3 lb of each set may lie in a different zone of the drum, being spaced about the axis of the drum. As the series of bars controlling the signal extinguishing action are successively advanced to the contact zone each day, the corresponding or connected signals will be extinguished.

A long contact bar 3lb', shown as extending through all the zones of the drum in which the shorter bars 3|!) lie, may be placed in one of the channels 3|c behind all of the bars 3|b, so as to make contact with all of the spring fingers 3|, 3|", 3|", 3|" at a time later than the time of contact of the shorter bars with their respective sets of fingers. This provides for the extinguishing of all of the signals or groups thereof simultaneously and at a later hour than they would successively be extinguished by the action of the shorter bars,special provision being made to prevent the action of the shorter bars becoming effective on such days as it is desired to run the signals until a late hour, as for instance, Saturdays; and such action may be dependent upon cooperating features of the weekly control means G, as hereinafter described and claimed.

Long contact bars such as are shown at 3|b' may be provided in suitable channels 3|c", lying in such portions of the so-called drum as will be advanced to the contact zone of the mentioned spring fingers at suitable hours each evening and/or morning. However, if desired, whether I use a single long bar (as shown) or a plurality of such bars, they may be cut into or formed from a series of shorter bars, one for each set of the contact fingers, and such bars may be ar ranged to be presented to each set of fingers in sequence so to start various signals or groups at different times.

One end of the drum 3| is shown as provided with a circumferential cam 56 which may be located between the evening or signal-extin guishing bars and the morning or signal-starting bars so as to come into play, in switch open-- ing action, after the last of the controlled signal faces has been extinguished for the night. A pivoted switch bar 51 has a cam-follower or roller 51 which rides upon the cam 56 during the night or nomsignaling hours and keeps the circuit con trolled thereby open by drawing the switch bar out of contact with or otherwise separating the switch points 51a and 512) which are in circuit with the spring contact fingers 48 and 48 of the governing means E. The drum 4"! thereof being during the period of circuit interruption. in an open circuit, fails to cause the energization of the solenoid 50, so keeping the switch bar 5| in open circuit position and preventing energization of the motor 45 and consequent rotation of shaft 38. This prevents all signalling action during the time-period which the cam requires to pass beneath its follower.

The weekly control means G is shown as a double cam 58 formed at one side of a spur gear 59 which is rotatably mounted upon a stud or axle 60 projecting from the framework A. An idler gear 59 connects the gear 59 with a pinion 59" on the shaft 34 which carries the drum 3|; the gear ratio is such that while the drum 3| makes seven revolutions the gear 59 and its cam r 58 make only one revolution. The periphery of the cam 58 in one zone is so formed that a cam follower 58 (comprising a switch lever pivoted to the framework A, as at 58", intermediately of its ends) causes a switch 60% at one end of the lever to be opened. and so open certain electrical circuits as the cam follower 58' is urged by a spring 58" into a depression in the cam face. This depression is, for instance, presented to the follower on Saturday night, and it may be of sufficient ex tent along the cam surface to keep such circuits open during the entire day on the following Sunday. Upon the cam follower being forced outwardly some time during Sunday night, the cir-- cuits will be closed, and the daily or diurnal con trol drum 3| will cause energizing impulses to be again sent to all of the signals on the following morning, so releasing the signal faces from the non-visible position in which they were held during the period of traffic regulation suspension.

The circuit in which the switch 60a is located is the circuit leading from the switch controlled by the cam 55 on the diurnal drum 3| to the drum 4! of the means E and the solenoid 5D controlled thereby. By this arrangement all signal activity may be prevented on Sundays as well as during the night hours.

In another plane the double cam 53 is provided with a cam face 580., or periphery formed with a depression, which requires only a few hours to pass under a cam follower 58b pivoted to the framework andcarrying a switch blade 530,"- which normally contacts with two switohpoints 58d and 58e. These points 58d and 58eare in the circuit controlling theextinguishing of signed faces. By this arrangement, I am enabled on Saturday nights to automaticallyinterrupt such circiut before any of the contact bars Bib arrive at their point of contact with the spring fingers at the drum 3| and again close such circuit after such contact but before the long signal extinguishing bar 35b makes contact with such spring fingers. Thus I prevent the signals from ceasing on Saturday nights their operation at the usual daily hour and depend on the long bar 3H) to extinguish all signal faces controlled thereby at a late hour.

Upon the frame work A a switch panel a is shown. An adjustable or manually operable blade iii? is pivotally mounted on the panel a and a plurality of contact points 68a, 60b, 69c and 6M are arranged in an are on the panel a and in position to be selectively engaged by the blade Three other such switch devices are provided on the panel a and the four such switch devices shown are connected up as follows:

Each one of the contact points Ella is connected by a circuit wire 66a to one of the contact fingers 31" of the diurnal control means F, each one of the contacts 601) is connected by a circuit wire Bob to one of the contact fingers 3!, each one of the contacts 680 is connected by a circuit wire we with one of the fingers 3|", and each one of the contacts GM is connected by a circuit wire lied to one of the fingers iii. The outer end of each switch blade 6G0: may be indirectly and conditionally connected to spring fingers of the separate sets of spring fingers 42, 42', comprised within the impulse means C, and with extinguishing circuits of the respective signals, as hereinafter described.

The contact disc 29 of the means H is shown in Figure 6 as provided with a broad arcuate contact strip 23 extending through slightly more than degrees on the face of the disc and about the axis thereof, and with a contact or switch blade 29" located inwardly of the arcuate strip and on the face of the disc. A pair of spaced contacts Eta, and a pair of spaced contacts 291), are held in the framework A at diametrically opposite points on the disc 29 and in position to be swept over by th arcuate strip 29. A pair of spaced contacts 29c, and a pair of diametrically opposite contacts 29d are supported by the framework in position to be engaged by the switch blade 29". A circuit wire 29a leads from one contact 29a to one terminal of the motor I! and a circuit wire 29b leads from one contact 2919 toone terminal of the motor it; a circuit wire 29c leads from one contact 290 to one terminal of the winding of the solenoid lid and a circuit wire 29d leads from one contact Ziidto one terminal of the solenoid 18a.

. The remaining contacts 29a, 29b, 29c and 2911 are all. connected with one wire 29c of an electrical energy supply. The other'terminal of the motor l1, motor l8; solenoid [1a, and solenoid l8a, are all connected to-' the other wire 29] of the source of electrical energy supply. As the disc 29 rotates, the arcuate strip 29 closes and opens the circuits of the-motors l1 and-l8 alternately, the extent of the strip insuring that the idle .motor will be broughtup-to normalspeed before the circuit of the'working motor is broken. When a motor has beeristarted and has attained the proper speed of rotation, the contact bladeZQ" closes the circuit of 'thecorrespondi ng solenoid and the armature thereof reverses the clutch connections operated thereby and disengages the retiring motor after connecting the motor lately energized. At about -this time the strip 29 leaves the priorly engaged fixed contacts'and the circuit of the retiring motor is broken.

ln orderthat a-large number of signals-or groups thereof may be caused to operate at slightly different times, or display their Stop and Go faces in time periods or cycles of differ ent lengths, the plurality of sets of fingers 42 and 42" areprovided; and the means C and its operating means D maybe plurally provided. A convenient arrangement is shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein a tubular shaft 38' surrounds the shaft 38"and has its own operating motor 46 and suitable operatlng connections. Governing means Es equivalent to governing means E may be pro vided in the form of a second rotatably mounted disc d'l's similar to the disc 41, but driven at a different rate of rotative speed due to use of an idler gear of a size differing from the one driving the disc 41. A solenoid, switch device, and other features corresponding to the control or governing features of the motor 46 and shaft 38 are provided in association withthe shaft 38' and the motor ifi', analogous parts-of Es being identified in Figure 6 by similar characters each with an added 3. Two of the adjustable sector devices are shown oneach of the shafts Hand 38', one such device coacting with each set of fingers 42 and 42' and so providing for the differential control of the signal faces of four different groups of signals, due to the different time intervals between the contacting of the sector switch blades with their respective contact fingers 42, as the sectors 40 and 4| of each sector device may be differently adjusted on their shafts with respect to each other.

In the mentioned parent case I have shown preferred means for manually controlling the action of signals at street intersections; but the details thereof are deemed immaterial to the invention herein claimed.

By reference to Figure 6 the connections of the several parts of the controlling means unit with their coacting parts, comprised within the signals by the several electrical impulse circuits, will be readily understood. In this figure a street intersection in one part of a city is indicated at J and a street intersection in another part of the city is indicated at K. At the intersection J four signals J are shown, and these signals may be organized and arranged in the manner explainedin the mentioned applications. One such signal at J is shown as projecting over each of the traffic streams, indicated by arrows, approaching the intersection from each of four directions. A power line, or source of electrical energy, comprising the circuit wires 18 and 18', is connected with the winding of the signal-face changing or operating motor of each signal J, as by means of branch circuit wires 18a and 18b. The energy supplied'by these branch circuit wires 'laaand 18b signals J.

may be subject to control by a motor-controlled switch, one of which is provided in each signal, somewhat as described in said patent and/or as indicated herein. At the street intersection K, a single signal device K, having four signal faces, is shown as suspended by means of cables is directly over the center of the street intersection. Each of these cables may be anchored to a building it on the corresponding street corner. Each signal face of the device K may comprise a plurality of the blades or vanes described in said patent, together with suitable operating means or mechanism therefor. The signal face operating motive means thereof may be supplied with electrical energy by circuit wires 19 and I9 leading from any suitable source and subject to control by a motor circuit switch.

Five signal controlling circuit wires are shown as leading from elements of the central controlling means unit to the signals at the intersection J, and five similar signal-controlling circuit wires are shown as leading from elements of the unit to the signal device K at the intersection K. At the right of the intersection K the five wires leading to the signal device K are shown as each provided with a branch wire, and these five branch wires may be further branched so as to lead to other signals of the group of signals to be so controlled as to act simultaneously with the signal device K.

The controlling unit is shown as constructed and organized independently to regulate the activity or movement of four different groups of signals; but it will of course be understood that such showing is merely exemplary, and I may 1 organize the same to control any desired number of sets or groups, all as may be required in adapting the invention to the needs of any partlcular city or locality. For the sake of clearness of illustration, circuit wires leading to two sets or groups of signals, together with their signals, are omitted, as the wiring diagram shown and described explains a mode of control for two sets or groups, and the connections to the other sets will be readily understood therefrom.

Each of the sets of five circuit wires of each group of signals preferably comprises a main or feed wire 80, a wire 8| for controlling the starting of the signals each morning of their working day, a wire 82 for controlling the face-changing switches in the motor circuits of the signals which control the traffic streams in streets extending in one direction, a wire 83 for controlling the switches in the motor circuits of the signals which control the traflic streams in the streets extending transversely thereto, and a wire 84 for controlling the mechanism which extinguishes the signal faces of all of the signals of the group.

By reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the feed wire has four branches 80a, at the intersection J; and that one such branch 80a leads to each of the four signals J. The wires 8| and 84 likewise have four branches each, Bid and 84a respectively; and one of each such branches 81a and 84a. leads to one of the four However, the wire 82 has only two branches, 82a, at the intersection J; and one of these branches leads to each of the two signals J which are arranged to control what may be called East and West traflic, the direction East being indicated by that word and the direction West by W. North is indicated by N, and South by S; and the signals J controlling North and South traffic are each connected to a branch 83a of the wire 83. By so connecting the signals J, I am enabled to cause nonsynchronous signal face action, as between the North-and-South signals or original faces on the one hand and the East-and-West signals or signal faces on the other. The feed wire 80 is shown as having one terminal connected to one wire of an electrical energy supply line and as having its other terminal connected to the other wire 85 of such electrical energy supply line.

The group of five circuit wires shown as leading from the controlling means unit to the square four-faced signal K may be connected to signal face actuating mechanisms, signal starting mechanism, and signal face extinguishing mechanism, equivalent to the mechanisms controlling the corresponding faces of the four signals K. The feed wire 80k of this group has its terminals connected to the supply line comprising the wires 85 and 85 similarly to the feed wire 80 of the signals J, the wires 8Ik-B4K being comparable with wires ilk-84.

In advance of a complete description of the connections of the elements of the central controlling means unit and the five circuit wires leading to each group of signals (to control the functioning thereof as shown in Figure 6) the connections of the elements of one of the Eastand-West traffic controlling signals J will be described. These connections are best shown in Figure 7, an initial a being employed in connection with certain elements thereof designated in an earlier application referred to. A magnet .232 is the element to be energized in order to suspend activity of the signal faces, or to cause the same to be extinguished. A magnet 24B is the element which is energized to operate the 11 motor switch bar 243 and so cause the motor to be energized by connecting its winding with its supply line. The motor or the winding thereof is designated by e26 and it is this local motor that causes the alternate display of the Stop and Go faces of the signal, a movement or shifting of signal faces from one position toward the other taking place upon each energization of the motor. In the form of signal shown, energize.- tion of the magnet 232 moves the signal face extinguishing bar or element z3l to a position where the signal face vanes will be caught in a neutral, invisible, or extinguished position, upon the next succeeding movement thereof by the motor 226. A third element of signal control,

the magnet 24!, is the element which releases the mechanism from its inactive position; and this magnet 2M is energized at the predetermined time of the day that the signal is to spring into activity.

A branch 80a of the feed wire 80, of the present invention, is further branched, as at 80a; and one of such branches 80a is connected to one terminal of the magnet z4l, the morning or starting magnet; another branch 80a is connected to one terminal of the change magnet e46, the motor-switch controlling magnet; and the third branch 80a is connected to one terminal of the neutral-positioning, or signal face extinguishing magnet 232. The circuit wire 82 has one of its branches 82a connected to the terminal of the change magnet 246 opposite the terminal to which the branch 80a is connected; the circuit wire 8| has one of its branches 8la connected to the terminal of the starting magnet 2M opposite the terminal to which the branch 80a is connected; and the circuit wire 84 has one of its branches 84a connected with the terminal stopping magnet 232 opposite the terminal to which the branch 80a is connected. The feed wire 80 being connected, as hereinbefore pointed out,.to asource of electrical energy, it is only necessary to: suitably connect the end thereof at the central station or controlling unit with the end of any one of the wires 8 I, 82, or 84 of the proper group to energize the corresponding magnet 24!, 246 or .232 and cause the corresponding functioning of the signal parts. Circuit wires 78 and 18 are shown. as supplying the signal motor, subject to control by switch bar 243a. The North and South signals may have their change magnets 246 connected with a branch wire 8311, instead of a branch 82a, as in the case of the East-and-West signal just described.

Referring again to Figure 6, each feed wire is shown as connected with two alternate con tacts or fingers 42 of each separate set of such fingers 42 comprised within the impulse means C. It will be understood that each separate set of four contact fingers 42 and one contact finger 42 pertains to the control of impulses sent to a separate set or group of signals synchronously operated. The fingers 42', however, may all be connected by branches to one circuit wire 86, which leads through the Saturday night switch 530 to all of the evening bars 3H) and the bar 3|b',--passing to such evening bars through a brush Sta which contacts with an annular contact 85b fixed on the end of the diurnal drum 3i (as best shown in Figures 2 and 12). The bars may all be connected with such. contact 86b in any suitable manner, as by a brush or wire Bin, shown diagrammatically in Figures 6 and 12 only. The spring contact fingers 3|, 3|", 3i" and 3!" and their circuits leading to the manually adjustable siwtches 66:0, having the contacts 65a, Mb, 680 and 60d, having been hereinbefore described, it need only be mentioned here that the adjustment of the switch blade 511m of each group of signals predetermines the time at which the signal faces of that group will ordinarily be extinguished, due to the contacting of successive bars 3|?) with the fingers which overlie the same, as each circuit wire 8470 is connected to one of the switch blades 6030. Upon rotation of the shafts 33, 38' the long switch blades of the segments Ma connect the spring fingers 42' with the next adjacent of the spring fingers 42, and therethrough, each to its corresponding feed wire. Therefore, at the predetermined time when the controlling parts of each group of signals are in proper relation, a circuit will be established. through the feed wire, the contact devices, and the signal face extinguishing magnets e32; and the signals of such group will cease their operation, the faces thereof be extinguished or removed from view.

On Saturday evenings, if desired, the functioning of the bars 3!!) in signal face extinguishing action may be prevented, as, when the switch blade 580 is moved to openposition by the cam follower, due to the formation of the cam periphery, the circuit through the short bar 3!?) is broken, and not closed until the last of the bars 31b has passed through the contact zone. After the last of the bars 3lb has passed the contact zone, the formation of this Saturday evening cam will permit the switch blade 580 to again ciose the circuit, and an impulse will be sent to all of the signals connected with the switches 611w and so cause the retirement of all signal faces so controlled.

In order to prevent signal operation during the day on Sundays, in case this eifect shall be desired, and to cut off the supply of energy to means C during the night hours, the circuit wire 87, which has its terminals connected one with each of. the supply wires 85 and 85', is interrupted by the Sunday switch thin and the switch 5'i,-which is opened nightly by the cam 56. The drum. of the means E is in this circuit, and as such drum 4'l controls the energization of the solenoid 50, which is also in this circuit, the solenoid is in open circuit during the night hours and on Sundays.

The constantly running motor 48, switch bar 5i and fixed contact point 51a are in the same circuit which comprises the wire 46a, the term nals of which wire are connected one to each of the supply wires 85'and 85'.

In case all signals are to be simultaneously started, the morning or signal-starting circuit wiresBl of all of the groups of signals may be joined or connected together and the common terminal thereof connected to a brush 88 which normally projects into the space in the annular contact Bid on the end of the drum 3|. An adjustable radial contact 88a has its one end 88 bored (see Figure 2) to receive an insulating bushing on the drum shaft and has its other end 88 in constant electrical contact with the annularcontact 861). At the proper hour for starting the signals, thecontact 88a passes under the brush 88 and so connects the wires 8| momentarily with the feed wire 80, causing the release of the signal faces from their fixed position by energizing the start magnet 24L Each East-and-West signal face controlling wire 82 leads to'the corresponding set of fingers 42, where it is connected with one of such fingers IE-lying next adjacent to one of the fingers 43 connected to the feed wire 80. Each Northand South signal face control wire 33 leads to the remaining finger 42 0f the corresponding set of fingers.

The governing means E, during the periods of its activity, which periods are determined by the periods during which the night switch and Sunday switch are closed, causes the motor 45 to be intermittently energized, and the shaft 38 turns degrees at each suchenergization. This movement of the shaft 38 causes the four contact fingers 42 of the set to be swept over or con tacted with by the switch blades carried by one of the sectors. 42 .closes the circuit momentarily, first through the East-and-West signal face movement oontrolling magnets 46, and then through the North-and-Sout signal face controlling magnets 45. When the drum 4'! of the governing means E again causes the energization of the motor 40, and the shaft is again turned through 180 degrees, the switchblades on the other sector, one of which may be the long switch blade, another impulse is sent through each set of magnets 46. An impulse will also be sent through the. contact finger 42'. upon the contacting of the long switch blade therewith; and when other control features are properly connected up, as determined by the time of the day, such impulse will be sent through the starting magnets 24!, by wires 8|, or through the signal face extinguishing magnets 232, by wires 84.

The spacing apart of the switch blades at each edge of a segment 40 or 4| permits of the sending of a signal-face changing impulse to one signal-face slightly in advance of another; the sending of a signal-face changing impulse to the same group of' signals provides for the changing of a-signal-facecont-rolling one traffic stream Such contacting with the fingers L from Go to Stop position slightly in advance of the changing of a signal-face controlling a trafiic stream crossing the first from Stop to "(50 position when such companion signal-faces at an intersection are to have their indications re" versed. This permits of clearing the intersection while both such angularly related signal faces momentarily read Stop, and then signaling persons in the second trafiic stream to proceed by exhibiting to them the Go face of a signal.

In Figure 8 a signal of the four--face type, such as is shown diagrammatically at K, Figure 6, is shown in perspective. This signal is preferably I of the storm-proof" or enclosed type, the rotatable vanes 89 constituting the four signal faces being shown in Figure 6 as disposed in a casing 89a. having a removable glasswarrying frame 89b secured to each of the four faces thereof. The glass panel 890 of each such frame is spaced outwardly from the zone of rotation of the relatively narrow vanes sufficiently to provide a suitable clearance space in which the vanes may rotate in signal-face changing action. Three signaling lenses 89a may be provided above each signal face over apertures or recesses in the easing. In these recesses electric lamp globes are placed and so connected with the internal signal mechanism that the signaling may be carried on thereby as well as by the signal faces. Each such lamp, or the lens covering the same, may be of a different colon-as, for instance, red, blue or green, and yellow; the first two named colors may be flashed to represent stop and go while the third color may be lighted to indicate either that the traffic rules are suspended or that the signal faces are about to be changed. Such changing of signal faces may also be preceded by ringing a suitable bell or gong. A feature of this device is that the heat of the electric lamps, which are disposed in the casing, and above the zone of the signal faces and the glass panels covering the same melt or prevent the accumulation of snow, sleet, ice or frost which might otherwise dim the glass panels under certain climatic conditions.

In order that the two sets of blades of the signal faces visible from one street, one set from each side of the signal, may be moved to stop position slightly in advance of the movement of the sets of blades visible from the street intersecting the first to go position, two sets of the actuating and controlling devices as described as operating a single signal in the type of signal illustrated in said patent may be employed in each four-faced signal K. In such cases, one set of mechanism such as is shown in Fig. 7, with controlling devices, is arranged to operate the joined rack bars at opposite faces of the easing, and the two sets of blades rotate thereby; and another or duplicate set of mechanisms and controlling devices may be arranged to operate another pair of joined rack bars, and the blades rotated thereby, which are disposed at opposite casing faces and in planes at right angles with respect to the first named casing faces.

Where the four separate sets of blades are to be rotated simultaneously, a single set of the operating mechanism and its controlling devices will sufiice, as the two pairs of angularly related rack bars may be simultaneously reciprocated by connecting one pair with the operating mechanism and connecting the second pair with the first by a right-angled pivot bell crank and a pair of links one of which extends therefrom to each pair of rack bars. In cases where such simul taneous change of East-and-West and Nortlrand-South faces suflices, either one of the East and-West or the Northmud-South cont' el ling circuit wires may be omitted from the system and the impulse means C correspondingly simplified; but it will be understood not only that many preferred details of system and of signal construction are herein given only for the sake of completeness, being claimed in the mentioned patents and/or applications, but that various fetetures of the present invention might be inde-- pendently employed; and also that numerous modifications, in addition to those herein sug gested, might easily be devised by skilled workers; if informed of the foregoing all without parture from the scope of the present invention, as the latter is indicated above and in the follow ing claims.

I claim:

1. A timing mechanism comprising a rotatable skeleton drum, a multiple of adjustable contacts on said drum, means on said drum to adjust said contacts, said drum adapted to rotate once in 24 hours, stationary contacts adapted to contact the drum contacts, a cam operated by said drum and adapted to make one revolution to 7 revolutions of the drum, a dwell on said cam, a cam follower adapted to enter said dwell and reside there during one revolution of said drum, a switch operated by said cam follower, sets of electrical circuits adapted to be connected by said drum and said contacts, a switch operated by said cam to make selected sets of said circuits inoperative when said cam follower is residing in said dwell.

2. A timing mechanism comprising a drum, a multiple of adjustable contacts on said drum, means on said drum to adjust said contacts relative to each other, said drum adapted to rotate continuously once in each 24 hours, stationary contacts adapted to be contacted by the drum contacts, a cam operated by said drum and adapted to make one revolution to 7 revolutions of the drum, sets of electrical circuits connected to the said stationary contacts, means operable by said cam to disconnect selected sets of said circuits for one rotation of said drum, and means operable by said cam to maintain certain of said circuits closed for remaining revolutions of said drum.

3. A timing mechanism comprising a rotatable drum, adjustable contact members on said drum, means on said drum to adjust said contact members, stationary contact members, sets of electrical circuits connected to said stationary contacts, said drum rotating once in 24 hours, a cam element having a dwell rotated by said drum once in '7 days, a cam switch operated by said cam and connected in series with one side of said circuits and adapted to open said circuits when said cam is in said dwell.

4. A timing mechanism comprising a rotatable drum, adjustable contact members on said drum, means on said drum to adjust said contact members relative to each other, stationary contacts adapted to be contacted by said rotatable contact members electric circuits connected to said stationary contacts, a cam element having a dwell rotated by said drum, a cam follower riding on said earn, a switch wired in multiple with the said electrical circuits and adapted to close said circuits when said cam is in said dwell and maintain said circuits closed during a rotation of said drum.

5. A timing mechanism comprising in combination a rotatable timing element adapted to make ill) frequent intermittent revolutions, energizing means to rotate said rotatable timing element, a rotatable drum adapted to make one revolution in 24 hours, a cam element operated by said drum, a switch operated by said cam controlling the energizing of said rotatable timing element whereby it is made inoperative during a portion of the revolution of said drum, a second cam element including a dwell, a cam, a switch operated by said cam, electrical circuits connected by rotation of said drum, certain of said circuits being connected to said rotatable timing element, said circuits connected to said switch operated by said cam and said second element to maintain said circuits closed by said switch during six days per week and open for one day per week.

6. A timing mechanism comprising a rotatable drum, adjustable contacts on said drum, stationary contacts adapted to be contacted by said rotatable contacts, electrical circuits connected to said stationary contacts and adapted to be closed by said rotatable contacts, means on said drum to adjust said rotatable contacts to each other and in their contacting order relative to the stationary contacts, means to operate said drum to rotate once each 24 hours, a cam element including a dwell, means to operate said cam by said drum once for seven revolutions of said drum, a cam follower, a switch operated by said cam follower, said switch wired in multiple with the said electrical circuits and operating to close said circuits when said cam follower is in said dwell and maintain said circuits closed during a rotation of said drum, a second cam having a dwell rotatable with said first cam, a cam follower for said second cam, a switch operated by said cam follower, said last named switch being connected in series with certain of said circuits and adapted to open said circuits when said last named cam follower is in said dwell of said second cam and close said circuits when the cam follower is riding said second cam.

ALEXANDER J. MASSEY. 

